In the 21st century the world has learned a new term: pandemic. A virus that came to be known as Avian flu was detected, and immediately the World Health Organization began sounding the alert. Those of us who weren’t familiar with the term soon learned what it meant. A pandemic is an epidemic that affects an entire country or the entire world.

King Josiah found himself in a spiritual pandemic. In his eighteenth year of rule, the Book of the Law was discovered. Using it, he diagnosed the spiritual pollution of his country.

When he heard the words of the book, Josiah expressed his outrage by first tearing his robes, then by seeking the Lord with all his heart. He had the Law read in public, and the people renewed their commitment to God’s covenant. Then, filled with righteous anger, he went on a rampage to root out all the spiritual and moral pollution. He removed the idols from the temple. He did away with pagan priests, religious prostitutes, and child sacrifices.

This story shows how spiritual darkness can become pervasive even among God’s people. If that happens, we need not lose hope. We can take action. What form this takes may vary according to our situation. One thing that does not vary is the usefulness of prayer and Scripture to combat spiritual darkness.